The National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act directs the National Weather Service to replace its aging instant messaging system, known as "NWSChat," with a modern commercial communications platform by October 1, 2027. The new system must be hosted on public cloud infrastructure and meet specific requirements designed to support growth, handle more users, remain user-friendly, and align with systems already in commercial use. The bill allocates up to $3 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to cover the costs of this upgrade, with funding to come from the National Weather Service's existing budget for operations, research, and facilities. This upgrade will improve internal communications among National Weather Service personnel across the country, allowing the agency to operate more efficiently and keep pace with modern communication standards.
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